Donald Duck's 78th Birthday

Who’s got the sweetest disposition? One guess, that’s who. Who never, never starts an argument? Who never shows a bit of temperament? Who’s never wrong but always right? Who’d never dream of starting a fight? Who gets stuck with all the bad luck? No one, but Donald Duck!

That’s right! Donald Duck turns 78 on Saturday, June 9. Happy Birthday, Donald! So here’s a little test of knowledge to see how much you know about the world’s favorite temper-tantrum-throwing duck. “Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!”

What was the name of the cartoon where Donald made his debut? Donald made his screen debut on June 9 in the 1934 Silly Symphony, The Wise Little Hen

What is Donald’s full name? In the short Donald Gets Drafted, Donald’s full name is shown on his draft notice as Donald Fauntleroy Duck.

Who first played the voice of Donald Duck, and how many people have played Donald’s voice?

Clarence “Ducky” Nash was a comic on the radio when Walt Disney hired him to play the voice of Donald Duck for the 1934 Mickey Mouse short Orphan’s Benefit.  Nash’s portrayal of the hot-tempered, gibberish-squawking duck stole the show.  Donald’s actual debut in The Wise Little Hen would be the first of more than 150 shorts and television shows voiced by Nash.  Nash remained the voice of Donald Duck for 50 years. He even came out of retirement to give Donald his voice in 1983’s Mickey’s Christmas Carol.  He was the only original voice actor there.  After his death Tony Anselmo took over, and has been Donald’s voice up to the present.

When did Donald first appear in color? This is a trick question. Because his debut was a Silly Symphony, Donald debuted in color. However, his buddies Mickey and Goofy didn’t appear in color until The Band Concert in 1935.

Though June 9 is Donald’s official birthday, another date is shown as his birthday in the film The Three Caballeros. What is that date? Friday the 13th (month not given)

Donald has had more full-length feature film appearances than his colleagues Mickey and Goofy.  How many can you name?

The Reluctant Dragon (1941), Saludos Amigos (1943), The Three Caballeros (1945), Fun & Fancy Free (1947), Melody Time (1948), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Fantasia 2000 (2000).

Where does Donald Duck live? Duckburg, Calisota USA, and he docks his boat, the Miss Daisy, at Disneyland in Toon Town.

Donald Duck is the official mascot of what university? The University of Oregon is the only university allowed to use Donald Duck as their official mascot. They are the Oregon Ducks.

So, how well did you do?  “Nothin’ to it”

Do you have any other Donald Duck trivia to share?  Let me know.

-- Julie